Discarded batteries cause second bin lorry fire

A lorry load of waste has burst into flames after batteries were accidentally crushed in the vehicle's compactor.

A Dorset Council bin collection crew saw smoke coming from the back of the truck on Summerhill Road in Lyme Regis earlier.

The driver immediately took the lorry to a wider road and ejected the load, which then caught alight, the authority said.

On Thursday, the council reported a similar fire in Bridport, which was also caused by batteries wrongly left in wheelie bins.

In both cases, no-one was injured and the vehicles were not badly damaged.

The latest incident was caused by a battery-powered drill and multiple batteries that had been left in a recycling bin, the council said.

In a statement, the authority said: "Our quick-thinking driver managed to drive to Kingsway, so he had more room and space away from parked cars.

"Street cleaners are now on scene clearing up the mess.

"Batteries of any kind should never be places in any recycling bin.

"Crushed batteries can cause fires, especially when surrounded by highly flammable material like paper, cardboard, and plastic."

The council said batteries and battery-powered items should be taken to any household recycling centre, while household batteries could be placed in a battery bag or a clear sealable plastic bag and left on top of recycling bins for collection.

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